You stopped by a few days out of the week, squeezing time between classes to study. A change of scenery was needed sometimes to ensure focus. That’s why you always came to the same coffee shop which was conveniently close by. It was always quiet, tidy.

However, that was definitely a half truth. Indeed, you needed to study, you had homework. But that wasn’t all, you came to this specific shop for a reason. As corny as it sounded, you had a slight interest in the barista there. The reddish-pink hair that he always pulled into a ponytail. Sometimes he wore it in a braid, a bun. But your favorite was when he let it down.

The name tag said, Chigiri. It wasn’t exactly a crush but you were definitely captivated, pulled in by looks that you found otherworldly. You had never seen a boy quite as ethereal as him, your eyes seemed to always flicker straight to him whenever you came.

Chigiri wasn’t overly friendly, even as a barista. He was professional, a little short and curt. Always hitting customers with a simple, What can I get you? Will that be all? That was always his script.

But seeing that you were a regular, there was almost a slight break in his usual, robotic, customer service responses. The slightest pull of a smile whenever you reached the register.

“Ah, you again,” He noted as he grabbed the cup beside him, “Want the usual?”

There was a bit of warmth there that exceeded customer service, a bit of a personal tie. And, well, Chigiri wasn’t oblivious to your gaze and your fleeting stares. Why? Because he did the same. Glancing at you as you studied, watching you immerse yourself in textbooks.

All in all, you just thought he was the prettiest boy you’d ever seen.